The Ultimate Grilled Pork Satay with Peanut Sauce

Are you ready to transport your taste buds to the vibrant street food stalls of Southeast Asia? If you’re looking to fire up your grill for something truly exciting, flavorful, and incredibly delicious, then this is the ultimate recipe for homemade Pork Satay with a rich and creamy peanut dipping sauce.

This is your definitive guide to mastering a classic grilled delicacy. We’ll show you how to create a fragrant, tenderizing coconut-peanut marinade for tender pork tenderloin, and how to whip up an authentic, from-scratch peanut sauce that is a world away from any store-bought version. It’s a complete, show-stopping appetizer or main course that is perfect for summer entertaining.

What makes this recipe so special is its incredible depth of authentic flavor. This isn’t just pork on a stick; it’s a symphony of sweet, salty, tangy, and spicy notes that come together in perfect harmony. Get ready to create the best Pork Satay you’ve ever had, right in your own backyard.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

A Taste of Southeast Asia: What is Satay?

Satay (or sate) is a beloved dish popular throughout Southeast Asia, particularly in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. At its heart, satay is simply seasoned, skewered, and grilled meat, served with a sauce.

The magic of a great Pork Satay lies in two key components:

1. The Marinade: A flavorful marinade is crucial for tenderizing the meat and infusing it with layers of aromatic flavor before it even hits the grill.
2. The Peanut Sauce: A rich, creamy, and complex peanut sauce served alongside for dipping is the signature of a classic satay. It’s not just a condiment; it’s an essential part of the dish.

This recipe will show you how to master both components for a truly authentic experience.

The Key Ingredients for Your Pork Satay

This recipe for Pork Satay uses a handful of powerful, aromatic ingredients to create its signature flavor.

• Pork Tenderloin: This is the perfect cut for Pork Satay. It is incredibly lean and tender, and it cooks very quickly on the grill, ensuring a juicy result.
• The Marinade:
  • Coconut Milk & Peanut Butter: This creamy duo forms the base of the marinade, adding richness and helping to tenderize the pork. Use full-fat canned coconut milk for the best flavor.
  • Soy Sauce & Lime Juice: Provide the essential salty, umami, and tangy, acidic notes that balance the richness.
  • Aromatics: Fresh minced garlic, finely chopped Thai chile pepper (seed it for less heat), and fresh cilantro provide a huge punch of fresh, vibrant flavor.
• The Peanut Dipping Sauce:
  • Chunky Peanut Butter: The star of the sauce. Chunky peanut butter adds a wonderful, rustic texture.
  • Coconut Milk: Creates the creamy, luscious consistency.
  • Aromatics & Spices: Sautéed onion, garlic, and Thai chile build the flavor base, while ground coriander and cumin add a warm, earthy depth.

Step-by-Step Guide to Your Grilled Pork Satay

This is a fun grilling project with two main components. It’s best to marinate the pork for at least 2 hours for the best flavor.

Part 1: Marinate the Pork

1. Make the Marinade: In a medium bowl, combine all the marinade ingredients: the 1 1/2 cups of coconut milk, 1/4 cup of peanut butter, 2 tablespoons of fresh lime juice, 1/4 cup of soy sauce, 4 cloves of minced garlic, the 2 finely chopped Thai chile peppers, and the 2 tablespoons of cilantro. Whisk everything together until smooth. Season with a pinch of salt.
2. Marinate the Pork: Add the cubed pork tenderloin to the bowl with the marinade and stir until every piece is well coated. Cover the bowl and let the pork marinate in the refrigerator for 2 to 4 hours.
3. Soak Your Skewers: If you are using wooden or bamboo skewers, place them in water to soak for at least 30 minutes before grilling. This crucial step prevents them from burning to a crisp on the hot grill.

Part 2: Make the Peanut Sauce and Grill the Satay

1. Make the Peanut Sauce: While the pork marinates, make your dipping sauce. Heat the 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion, garlic, and red chile pepper. Sauté for about 4 minutes, until the onion is soft and fragrant.
2. Build the Sauce: Stir in the 1/4 cup of soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of lime juice, 1 1/2 cups of coconut milk, the ground coriander, and the cumin.
3. Finish the Sauce: Thoroughly whisk in the 1 cup of chunky peanut butter until the mixture is smooth and combined. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer over low heat, stirring frequently. Once it has simmered for a minute or two, stir in the 1 tablespoon of minced fresh cilantro and remove the pan from the heat. Your amazing peanut sauce is now ready.
4. Prepare the Grill and Skewers: Preheat your grill to a steady medium-high heat. Remove the pork from the marinade (you can discard the used marinade) and thread the pieces onto your soaked skewers.
5. Grill the Pork Satay: Place the skewers on the hot, clean grill grates. Grill for 7 to 8 minutes, turning occasionally, until the pork is cooked through and has beautiful char marks on all sides. Pork is safely cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.
6. Serve: Serve your hot, freshly grilled Pork Satay skewers immediately with the warm peanut sauce on the side for dipping.

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Conclusion: A Taste of the World in Your Own Backyard

This homemade Pork Satay is a fantastic way to break out of your grilling routine and explore the exciting, vibrant flavors of Southeast Asian cuisine. The combination of the tender, flavor-infused grilled pork and the rich, creamy, and complex peanut sauce is a true delight for the senses. This is a recipe that is guaranteed to impress and will transport you to a bustling street food market with every single bite.

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